How two computers can share the same Ethernet connection?

Question

I only have a single Ethernet connection in my office but I have two desktop systems, each with a 10/100 network card, that I need to be connected. Can two systems share the same network port and if so what do I need in terms of hardware to make the connection?

Answer 1

A router, as others have suggested, is not exactly the best option. There are limits on these broadband routers that don't allow some types of packets to route through and may cause network errors or block certain applications from working correctly.

You can purchase a 5 port switch for about $35. This will give you 4 additional network ports at your desktop WITHOUT blocking network connectivity. Switches are sometimes call a workgroup switch.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=624765&CatId=201

The above link is one option, but you can shop around and probably find one that is cheaper...Dlink, 3Com, are the better ones. This switch is about the size of a small paperback book and can fit behind your monitor out of sight.

Answer 2

I don't know what 'ethernet' is but if it's similar to broadband, here is my experience. We have 2 computers in a home office. They both share the same broadband connection and the same monitor. The man who installed the second computer put in some sort of switch so we can have both computers on and connected to the internet at the same time. We take turns in jumping on to the computer and hitting 'Scroll Lock' twice and the up arrow once and the other computer comes up on the screen. I don't know what the hardware is that enables this but thought you might like to know it's possible - and works really well. We have a shared folder on the 'network' that we can put material in for the other person to access. Sorry I can't be more technical but I'm sure if you went to your local electronics store (eg in Australia I would go to Dick Smiths) and tell them what you want, they'll be able to advise you. Our internet provider, however, will only support one computer thru the helpdesk so we have to be a bit sneaky about that!

Answer 3

Do NOT get a router as others suggested. A router will do you no good in that situation.

All you need is a switch or a hub. A Switch would be better. Just run one cable from the port in your office to the Uplink on the switch, run one cable from the switch to one PC, and one cable from the switch to the other PC.

A router is for sharing an INTERNET connection, not a NETWORK connection.

Answer 4

Get a router at any store that sells computers. It is a simple hookup and will do exactly what you ask.

Some of the other answers refer to a hub or swicth as options. These folk may not realize what a switch or hub is. A hub is the same thing as a router, except a router has more capabities (i.e. you would never connect a hub to an external connection such as to a cable or DSL modem).

A switch is a generic term referring to a hub or router. It simply refers to a device used to switch signals between ports, something that both hubs and routers do.

Thus they unknowingly are saying the same thing but do not understand the terminology.

Answer 5

Get a router with a couple ports on it, or a IP switch. Chances are your network host already manages DHCP. A router would create a subnet and manage it own DHCP service. If you use an IP Switch, you can connect more than one computer and have your office host manage assignment of IP addresses, unless your IP adresses in your LAN is static, then you have to ask the administrator for another IP address for your other computer.

Answer 6

U ned a boardband router & extra ethernet cables. Configure the router by following the configure instructions from the manual.